DEFECTION Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

defection

noun

Definition of defection

as in apostasy

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in desertion

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defection Last year, Alexander Isak’s eventual defection following a summer-long saga proved disastrous, hampering Newcastle’s own business, which had already been affected by Paul Mitchell’s departure as sporting director in May and by being pipped to their top targets. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026 ByteDance is offering special stock options to its AI team to prevent defections, and one Chinese robotics startup advertised an $18 million salary for a chief scientist. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 26 May 2026 Tuesday’s primary results add emphasis to a GOP defection. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026 The loss of the UAE is the single biggest defection in OPEC’s history. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defection

Noun

When every disagreement with Israeli government policy became, in your telling, the first step toward apostasy?

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 July 2026
Marc makes an example of the penitent, powerless Jeanne, reminding the rest of his flock of the punishment for apostasy and using her rough time among the heathens as proof of why none under his control should ever want to trade his order for such modern sin and depravity.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026

Definition of apostasy

Noun

The core of the story is the desertion and betrayal of Roseanna McCoy by all concerned.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Furthermore, the Ukrainian army is short-handed, facing around 200,000 troop desertions and draft-dodging by around 2 million people, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in January.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026

Definition of desertion

Noun

The Vatican said dialogue was offered to the group ahead of the schism and that the step of ordaining bishops without ⁠church approval was considered so grave that excommunication was automatic.

— Reuters, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Parishioners at Saint Agnes said they were saddened by the schism and would continue to pray for a united church.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026

Definition of schism

Noun

Coming from one of the nation’s most prominent advocates, this was not an abandonment of the moral case.

— Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
The onset of more organ soloing by Emmett over twin guitars is just the barrage needed to slam home the paranoia and loneliness in a song that alternates self-effacement with self-defensive allegations of gaslighting and abandonment.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 July 2026

Definition of abandonment

Noun

When the nucleus ultimately disintegrates, these pieces move apart rapidly and the neck snaps quickly, a process known as scission.

— Charles Q. Choi, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2021
The structure is easily broken down in a reaction called scission (like scissors), which tears up the polymer chain.

— Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 5 Aug. 2020

Definition of scission

Noun

Plots tend to involve women in various types of distress, facing things like murder, stalking, infidelity, illicit love, kidnapping, and storm-chasing serial killers.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Last month, six women interviewed by the Times described concerning behavior by Platner, including excessive drinking, infidelity, and, in one account, physical intimidation.

— Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Definition of infidelity

Noun

Steve Cross, real estate development director on the project for Costco, told the first wave that there are a lot of misconceptions out there about what a business center will entail.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Products Have Become Souvenirs One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding the experience economy is that consumers are replacing products with experiences.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026